Police are investigating a murder case where at least three people were stoned to death by a mob in a case of suspected kidnap in a village in Burere, Kakamega County.

Six others were rushed to hospital after the Friday morning drama, police said after rescuing them.

This happened in Ibokolo village where a driver with eight occupants in a car allegedly tried to kidnap two 14-year-old boys.

Both boys are pupils at Mulwa Primary School in the area. The motive of the incident is yet to be established, police said.

According to police, locals noticed the drama and rushed to the boys' rescue as they raised the alarm.

This attracted more people who rushed to the scene and descended on the occupants with stones and twigs killing three.

The injured also had panga cuts and were taken to Butere Sub County Hospital in critical condition, police said.

The victims included two men and a woman.

The bodies were moved to Butere Funeral Home awaiting identification and postmortem, police said.

Police said they are investigating the incident they termed as murder.

Police discourage mob lynching and term it criminal and want suspects arrested to be surrendered to authorities for processing and possible prosecution.

Most victims of mob lynching are innocent.

Police say in some incidents, some victims are framed as suspects and killed by mobs.

Police spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango said police are taking serious cases of mob lynching for investigation.

“We discourage mob lynching because it is brutal and criminal in all ways. Let suspects be surrendered to authorities for processing,” she said.

She warned those caught in the incidents will face serious charges.

Dozens of such cases are reported monthly in the country at an alarming rate.

Officials link the cases to a perceived lack of trust in authorities and desperation for justice.